Story and photos by Bruce Karnick

The best part of the job is the kids I cover, the kids I get to know. I have learned that they have a huge impact on me and with each new class, there is a greater appreciation for them that goes beyond the 昀eld/ice/court/playing surface. I was tasked to go through the pictures of the last year. I have almost 10,000 pictures in my 2022 processed folder and another 26,000 not processed. How do I narrow it down to half of a page of 6-10 pictures?

For 2022, we were fortunate to document Raider athletes achieving greatness and overcoming adversity. Lilly Nuytten’s 1,000th point, Skylar Little Soldier’s historic win to become the 昀rst ever girls wrestling champion at 132 pounds, Blake Beissel jumping into the arms of his grandfather/coach after winning the state wrestling meet, Linnea Ronning overcoming near freezing temps to run at the state cross country meet. Student athletes have also overcome the hidden factors; their fears, illness, injury, various disorders, loss of family and friends and much more to return to the varsity level of competition and we have captured their triumphs.

With so many great, inspiring stories captured in photos, it’s hard to pick just a few. With all these amazing kids doing tremendous things, we could 昀ll an entire publication with pictures. These are some of our favorites from the year. If you would like to see thousands more, please head on over to the photo website ‘mavericphotography.zenfolio.com’ where you can 昀nd the archive of the various pictures taken for the Hastings Journal since the start of the paper in 2020.

March 2022. After winning the 106-pound weight class at the state wrestling tournament, many happy tears were shed and hugs shared. In this behind-the-scenes photo, Champion Blake Beissel (right) along with Coach/Grandpa – Pete Kranz (left) and Dad – Chad Beissel (middle), look for Blakes mom, Becky Beissel, in the stands so the two can celebrate together.

March 2022. Coach Kevin McBride spends the last few moments with soon-to-be first ever girls MN State Champion Skylar Little Soldier. This was before the first ever sanctioned girls state wrestling match for the 132-pound division. Little Soldier won by pinfall.

June 2022. Ashlyn Endres studies the course from the first tee during the state meet.

June 2022. Charlie Williams prepares for the start of the state golf meet on day one at the first tee.

November 2022. Linnea Ronning competed in the MN State Cross Country meet crossing the finish line in 39th place out of 160 runners. Ronning’s state meet time was 19:21.24.

June 2022. Lauren Hubbart relaxes a moment before joining her foursome for the first day of state